Hurdlers Cabang, Hoffman book Paris Olympics berths


At a glance

  • Hurdlers John Cabang and Lauren Hoffman became the latest additions to Team Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympics after earning berths in their respective events in athletics.


Hurdlers John Cabang and Lauren Hoffman became the latest additions to Team Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympics after earning berths in their respective events in athletics.

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John Cabang, left, and Lauren Hoffman are the last Filipino qualifiers to the Paris Olympics. 

Philippine Athletics made the announcement early Wednesday, July 3, following World Athletics’ release of the list of athletes who made it to the Games based on automatic qualification and rankings.

The 22-year-old Cabang gained a ticket in the men’s 110-meter hurdles with his Olympic ranking of No. 30, while Hoffman booked a seat in the women’s 400m hurdles after placing 39th out of the Top 40 qualifiers.

Sprinter Kristina Knott, meanwhile, did not make the cut in the women’s 200m, but hopes to make a last-minute entry through withdrawals.

With the development, Cabang and Hoffman join pole vaulter EJ Obiena in the PH athletics roster.

It also hiked the Philippines’ contingent to 22 athletes -- the most number of Filipino qualifiers in almost three decades or since sending 26 athletes to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Other Filipino qualifiers include boxers Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan; fencer Samantha Catantan; golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo; judoka Kiyomi Watanabe; rower Joanie Delgaco; swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch; and weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando and John Ceniza.

Cabang and Hoffman are also expected to join the PH team training in Metz, France on July 17 and 23, respectively.

The duo both competed at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China where Cabang finished fourth in his event, and Hoffman landed fifth.

Hoffman, 25, previously represented the United States and only began competing for Team PH in 2023. She currently holds the national record in the women’s 400m hurdles with a time of 56.39 seconds and has also broken the 100m hurdles PH mark multiple times this year.